Friday: HULL 30 WIDNES 10 at KC Stadium
Friday: CASTLEFORD 30 HUDDERSFIELD 22 at John Smiths Stadium
Friday: WARRINGTON 26 ST HELENS 4 at Langtree Park
Storm presser
"You always expect that of our Origin players," said coach Craig Bellamy.
"Cooper (Cronk)... I don't think anyone could expect him to back up after what he went through with the ankle. We wanted to make it a medical decision, not Cooper's decision."
Captain Cameron Smith said: "We pride ourselves on backing up and playing for the club. It's pretty important for us that we're available for our club and our team-mates.
"It's an easy option to just rest.
"State of Origin is important ... but it's not something that is going to take away from club football. There might be times in the future or this year when Craig says we are definitely not saying.
"But until he says that, we will play,
"One thing that hasn't been an issue for us this year is attitude and effort during the week. It's the best sort of group we've had in a few years and that's a reflection on how we're playing."
Segeyaro Omission Caused By Form Alone, Says Griffin
PENRITH coach Anthony Griffin says the only problem with James Segeyaro is that Peter Wallace is in better form.
The PNG star’s fortunes have been in reverse since he was photographed with Junior Paulo and Corey Norman at dinner with underworld figures.
“He wasn’t selected in this team but he’s a contracted player," Griffin said after the 24-6 defeat to Melbourne.
"There’s no issue with anything else aside from the fact that, as I said during the week, we want to go with one hooker and Peter Wallace is the form hooker in our club at the moment. That’s just a selection thing.”
Segayaro pulled out of a NSW Cup game on Saturday during the warm-up due to the aggravation.
Reflecting on the defeat, Griffin said; "We weren't strong enough for an 80-minute effort. They got out of their half way too easy in the first half."
On Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith backing up, Griffin said: "I knew they'd play. They always do."
Fullback Matt Moylan added: "We got good finishes to our sets but we weren't able to captialise on that."
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Fulltime at AAMI Park: MELBOURNE 24 PENRITH 6
MELBOURNE halfback Cooper Cronk has ignored a painful ankle injury to back up in the final two minutes and score his club's final try of convincing win over Penrith.
The Panthers scored first via NSW winger Josh Mansour but after that the Storm gradually wore them down to extend a long winning run.
COMMENT: The professionalism of Cameron Smith and particularly Cooper Cronk shone like a beacon on a cold wet Melbourne night.
78 min: Cronk try, Smith goal
Cooper Cronk shouldn't even be playing tonight with that ankle. He's on the spot to back up a mid-field break and score between the posts. Cameron Smith converts Melbourne 24-6
63 min: Smith goal
A penalty to Melbourne for a high tackle by Jeremy Latimore on Blake Green but it was a trysaver. The Storm opt to take the kick and open their advantage up to 12. That, they do. Smith with the goal. Melbourne 18-6
Stunning passage of play as Vunivalu loses the ball near his own line, Penrith spin it quickly to the right and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is spectacularly prevented from scoring by some desperate cover defence. Was it a shoulder charge by Marika Koroibete? Play-on with a Melbourne scrum win. Melbourne 16-6
Halftime at AAMI Park: MELBOURNE 16 PENRITH 6
PENRITH fullback Matt Moylan questioned referee Matt Cecchin about the penalty count as the Panthers left AAMI Park 10 points down at halftime against Melbourne.
The Panthers scored first via NSW winger Josh Mansour but since then it's been all Storm. "We're really happy with how we;re playing," coach Craig Bellamy told Fox Sports at halftime,
COMMENT: The Panthers are on the improve but on tonight's evidence so far are not in the top echelon of premiership contenders.
Back to topWho wore it first? #NRLStormPanthers 👱🏼👱🏼👱🏼 pic.twitter.com/ZJawi1eHu8
— Lauren (@laurenm_02) June 4, 2016
32 min: Morgan try, Smith goal
New signing Ryan Morgan gets his share of the spoils as the Storm's motor starts purring. Cooper Cronk attacks down the right, finds no-one at home at the back and kicks for the former Parramatta centre. He's clearly happy to introduce himself to the AAMI Park crowd in such a manner. Cameron Smith's conversion is on-song. Melbourne 16-6
28 min: Proctor try, Smith goal
Kevin Proctor launches himself at the Penrith goal-line defence and it just can't stop him. Melbourne started slowly but are finding their feet. Smith's conversion is in off the posts. Melbourne 10-6
17 min: Bromwich try
Did Cameron Munster put a foot into touch before Jesse Bromwich scored that try off Cooper Cronk. Bromwich is just too big. No matter, it's given. Cameron Smith is unsuccessful with the goal.Waqa Blake is down injured. Penrith 6-4
21' Waqa Blake leaves the field for a concussion test. Chris Grevsmuhl enters the fray.. #pantherpride #NRLStormPanthers
— Penrith Panthers (@PenrithPanthers) June 4, 2016
6 min: Mansour try, Soward goal
We have points at AAMI with the Storm's scrambling defence caught short on the right and NSW winger Josh Mansour crossing in the corner. Jamie Soward attempts a sideline conversion - and nails it. Penrith 6-0
No Rest For The Brilliant
NORTH Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston says he wont be rested for a match during the Origin series.
"Not at this stage," he said after the 46-26 win over Newcaste at 1300SMILES Stadium.
"The body feels pretty good. We'll just wait and see how I travel."
One game Thurston is certainly keen on is next week's Monday Night Football appointment with Cronulla at Southern Cross Stadium.
"It's always tough when you come down to their home ground," Thurston said. "They've bashed a few sides up down there. They're full of confidence, you know? Their key players are playing extremely well off the back of Gal (Paul Gallen), Mick Ennis, Wade Graham is going well.
"They've got a big forward pack there that obviously lays the platform for Maloney.
"They try to, I suppose, bash you up but also they play tough, hard, grinding footy. They've obviously added a few players they can attack from now which they probably lacked in the past and they're scoring points."
Coach Paul Green also talked up the Sharks, saying: "They'll be full of confidence. You saw how they played against the Broncos down there. They probably see us as another scalp next Monday night so I'm sure they'll be pumped up as they can be at Shark Park.
"We're expecting a pretty tough game but we've got a long turnaround which is good. The boys can get over Origin and tonight."
Discussing the use of second-phase play against the Knights, he said: "It wasn't a particular plan, it's something we've been working on for weeks,.
"It came off tonight and I thought it looked good when we played off the back of them.
"He's got some silky skills, Johnny (Asiata) - that's why he's in the team."
Green refused to be too harsh on his team for a couple of tries they conceded. "We need to be better in these areas. There were some soft tries. Two in particular."
Back to topWe have kick-off in Melbourne with Nathan Cleary making his debut for Penrith while Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk are playing. Melbourne 0 North Queensland 0
Knights presser
"They won the grand final last year and they won it for a reason," said coach Nathan Brown.
"There will be sides that come up here with big salary caps and more experience than us and Thurston and Tamou and Scott and Taumalolo will do that to them too."
Teams - MELBOURNE v PENRITH
MELBOURNE: Cameron Munster; Suliasi Vunivalu, Cheyse Blair, Ryan Morgan, Marika Koroibete; Blake Green, Cooper Cronk; Dale Finucane, Tohu Harris, Kevin Proctor, Jordan McLean, Cameron Smith ©, Jessey Bromwich. Res: Kenny Bromwich, Tim Glasby, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Felise Kaufusi.
PENRITH: Matt Moylan; Josh Mansour, Waqa Blake, Tyrone Peachey, Tyrone Peachey, Dalin Watene-Zelezniak; Nathan Cleary, Jamie Soward; Isaah Yeo, Trent Merrin, Bryce Cartwright, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Peter Wallace, Sam McKendry. Res: Leilani Latu, Suaia Matagi, Jeremy Latimore, Chris Grevsmuhl
Fulltime at 1300smiles Stadium: NORTH QUEENSLAND 46 NEWCASTLE 16
RAY Thompson has scored two tries as world champs North Queensland kept alive their unbeaten run at home this season.
Newcastle scored an early try in the round 13 match at 1300SMILES Stadium to suggest a contest but the Cowboys went on to blow them off the partk. with prop Matt Scott backing up superbly from Origin.
Johnathan Thurston finally got a spell in the dying minutes.
COMMENT: The Cowboys continue to be a benchmark while the Knights are lucky they weren't toned by more.
79 min: Fitzgibbon try, Hodkinson goal
What can you say about this? Lachlan Fitzgibbon scores a consolation try from a kick, Trent Hodkinson converts. That will be about it. North Queensland 46-16
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